Practica
The Poole College of Management offers a variety of 400-level practicum courses for students pursuing an undergraduate major or minor within the College. A practicum course is a project-based, experiential learning opportunity that provides a structured environment for students to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. Under the guidance of a faculty member, and in collaboration with industry professionals, students work in teams to provide solutions to real business problems sourced from partnering organizations. This high-impact experience helps students gain valuable hands-on experience, develop transferable skills, and build professional networks to ultimately enhance their career development.
Current Students: Click the link to view the Fall 2025 practicum course offerings and submit your application. The priority deadline is March 20, 2025. The application form will remain open until the start of the Fall 2025 semester, and any applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Accounting
The Accounting Practicum (ACC 452) is a 3 credit hour course that explores organizational business cycles and the skills of managing accounting activities by giving students the opportunity to apply analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Through this course, students gain skills for managing the audit engagement cycle to formulate the objectives, scope, plans, and programs for an independent, objective assurance engagement. This course is typically offered in Fall and Spring. Application required.
Business Analytics
The Business Analytics Practicum (BUS 459H) is a 3-credit hour course that offers students enrolled in the Business Analytics Honors Program (BAHP) additional preparation for careers in the high-demand field of business analytics by exploring advanced application of business analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, tools, and methodologies. Teams of students undertake projects to identify business issues, confirm the information needed to address the issues, and apply the required data analytics or AI tools and methodologies. The projects include interaction with business personnel, refinement of business issues, gathering information, and development of business analytics or AI models. Each project culminates with the team presenting their findings and recommendations to the organization. This course is typically offered in Fall and Spring, and is currently restricted to BAHP students only. BAHP students do not need to complete the practicum application to be enrolled in this course.
Entrepreneurship
The Social Entrepreneurship Clinical Practicum (MIE 418) and Entrepreneurship Practicum (MIE 419) are 3-credit courses focused on experiential learning that is run through the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic. In the course, students will observe, learn and work alongside startup founders in Raleigh’s largest entrepreneurial co-working space, HQ Raleigh. Students work with an array of startups to evaluate their weaknesses and develop and execute action plans to help them solve a specific business need. These courses are typically offered in Fall and Spring. Application required.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Practicum (MIE 439) is a 3-credit hour course that allows students to gain practical experience with diagnosing an organization’s needs and then planning and recommending appropriate interventions. Students will gain experience with identifying needs through needs assessment interviews with company representatives and analysis and interpretation of key demographic and relevant operational and HR metric data. Throughout the practicum, students utilize textbooks, readings, lectures, and practitioner presentations to inform their project management. This course is typically offered in Spring. Application required.
Information Technology
The Information Technology Practicum (BUS 449) is a 3-credit hour course in which students work on real applications for national or local firm(s) to solve “live” IT problems. Students collaborate in teams to develop client deliverables and present their final work to an appropriate industry-based management team. Company treks and outside class activities (including client/consultant work) are a major part of this course to supplement the project-based learning being completed by students. This course is typically offered in Spring. Application required.
Marketing
The Sales and Marketing Practicum (BUS 463) and Digital Marketing Practicum (BUS 469) are 3-credit courses focused on different aspects of marketing. In BUS 463, students work with company team leads (clients) and the NCSU faculty advisor to solve a sales or marketing problem for a business enterprise. Students develop a project scope, work plan, key deliverables and milestones as they gain experiences analyzing data and providing various reports to project stakeholders. In BUS 469, students work with their client to develop a comprehensive digital marketing campaign across all appropriate major digital platforms. Post-campaign metrics and data analytics are utilized to measure campaign effectiveness and future marketing strategy, and students will engage in class discussion, industry expert lectures, and digital simulation as they work toward completing their project. BUS 463 is typically offered in Fall; BUS 469 is typically offered in Fall and Spring. Application required.
Operations and Supply Chain Management
The Supply Chain Management Practicum (BUS 479) is a 3-credit hour course that gives students the opportunity to engage projects provided by the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) partner companies. These projects are varied in scope and are generally focused on topics such as procurement, materials management, forecasting, logistics, sustainability, or manufacturing. In coordination with the company representatives and course faculty, students are responsible for all aspects of managing the project before presenting long and short-term recommendations to the project stakeholders at the conclusion. This course is typically offered in Fall and Spring. Application required.